Perhaps it’s only wishful thinking, but UCLA coach Ben Howland says he thinks superstar-to-be Shabazz Muhammad will be cleared to play as a freshman.

“I’m very optimistic about Shabazz,” Howland told reporters Thursday. “I can’t tell you how long or when, I don’t know that. But again, these are great kids and I’m very confident that things are going to work out and very optimistic.”

Muhammad, a second-team preseason All-American by Sporting News, is at once the most touted UCLA freshman since Kevin Love and the player whose status remains a burning question. The 6-6 small forward from Las Vegas is the subject of an NCAA investigation involving alleged improper benefits he received in his recruitment from boosters of his AAU program and the alleged improper acceptance of airline flights for some of his recruiting visits.

He had been practicing with the team before injuring his right shoulder last week. Even if cleared to play in UCLA’s Nov. 9 opener against Indiana State, he might not be healthy enough to play. The injury isn’t serious, but he might have to miss a game or two because of it.

Just two days ago, teammate Kyle Anderson -- a top-five prospect like Muhammad -- was cleared to play as a freshman. After Anderson was investigated for alleged recruiting violations, UCLA athletics director Dan Guerrero said the NCAA found no evidence to substantiate such claims.

"Haha hopefully I'm next so we can get this season going !!!!" Muhammad wrote on Twitter in response to Wednesday's news that Anderson had been cleared to play.

UCLA is ranked No. 11 by Sporting News in preseason but would’ve been a no doubt top-five club if not for the concerns about Muhammad’s eligibility. If cleared, UCLA will be as talented as any club in the country and would propel the Bruins back into title contention after last season's tumult.

Landing one of the nation's top recruiting classes was crucial for Howland, who enters his 10th season in Westwood with three straight Final Four appearances four years ago a distant memory. Last season ended with a 19-14 record and no postseason bid for the second time in three years.

Along the way, he kicked Reeves Nelson off the team for bad behavior and a Sports Illustrated story that suggested the program had spun out of control under Howland forced UCLA officials to do major damage control while speculation raged about Howland's future with the program.

But months later, Howland has rebounded with five stellar freshmen on a roster that already boasts talent and experience.

"The chemistry on this team is as good as I can remember," he said.

Besides Muhammad and Anderson, the other newcomers expected to make early contributions are Tony Parker and Jordan Adams.

"We all came from winning programs, so we're just trying to carry that tradition on," Muhammad said. "We're going to really work hard."

If Muhammad is ready, the Bruins figure to start him, Anderson, Larry Drew II, Travis Wear and Josh Smith in Howland's new up-tempo offense. Yes, the coach whose career was built on emphasizing defense plans to get UCLA running and dunking again.

"We're trying to play faster, push the ball and take advantage of the fact we have depth and speed," Howland said.